Page:Life and Adventures of William Buckley.djvu/24

BIRTH, PARENTAGE, AND EDUCATION,—APPRENTICED TO A BRICKLAYER.—RUNS AWAY AND ENLISTS FOR A SOLDIER.—JOINS THE CHESHIRE MILITIA, AND THEN A REGIMENT OF THE LINE.—EMBARKS FOR HOLLAND.—BATTLE BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND ALLIED FORCES.—RETURNS TO ENGLAND.—GETS INTO BAD COMPANY: TRIED, AND SENTENCED.—GOES IN THE CALCUTTA, WITH A PARTY OF CONVICTS TO PORT PHILLIP.—SHIP ARRIVES.—PRISONERS AND GUARD OF MARINES LAND.—ABSCONDS WITH THREE OTHERS.—SEPARATES FROM HIS COMPANIONS.—SUFFERINGS IN THE BUSH.

"Poor is the friendless Master of a World."

I was born in the year 1780, at Macclesfield, in the County of Cheshire, England. My parents were humble people, who honestly provided for the support of themselves, and a family of two girls and two boys, by cultivating a small farm in that neighbourhood. What has become of my brother and sisters, is not known to me;